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National League Championship Series Game 6 chat

For the Dodgers’ first official Game 6 since October 11, 1988, I’m quivering. At least 52 batters will come to the plate tonight, and any one of them could decide the fate of the evening .. and beyond. We could be witnesses to history, or infamy.

I can’t help think that all these games are tests of fortune, not of strength. The line between greatness and mediocrity, between glory and ignominy, is way too thin for us to invest so much meaning into.

And yet, we do. How good will it feel if we keep this going? No words.

Assuming both pitchers are on their A game, it will come down to the top 3 in the batting order for the Crads vs. the 3-5 hitters in our lineup.

Eli Van Sickel

A wonderfully written post as always, Jon.

ASW1

For some reason, Wednesday’s game – maybe because of the early start, there was no time for it to build – I was not feeling nervous at all about. I’m already nervous for this one and there is still two hours to go before 1st pitch.

B Martin

Tonight will be a test of faith. Either it does end tonight or doesn’t. I’m just glad I have the Xanax ready by my side.

NoahUCLA

I read this the first time as Ethier does it tonight or doesn’t. Even though it’s not what it says, I guess he is on my mind, because with the great righty they have on the mound tonight, he could be a huge piece for the blue. Imagine if we all actually played in the game? How many Xanax would they need to give us then?

Eddie Barillas

Jon and anyone else,

I’m 24. I’ve never been this far in the playoffs with our boys. I’ve been following Dodger Thoughts (thanks for coming back) as well as Mike on MSTI and the gents from SOSG for a few years now. Never posted a damn thing, but arguably have enjoyed the comments as much as the threads.

I’m at work, in my cubicle, and all I’ve been able to do is keep refreshing these pages for a new post and some type of positive vibe from you guys. So thanks for calming my nerves for two minutes before watching the biggest Dodger game of my life to date. I’ll now return to refreshing MSTI and my twitter feed in absolute panic.

Eli Van Sickel

As a 25 year old, I feel your pain. My dad has always told me about how I was a few months old, sitting on his lap when the Gibson home run hit, but I’ve certainly never been cognizant for a Dodgers October run. I’m sitting in front of my television now and am not moving until the last pitch is thrown. As nerve-wracking an evening as I can remember ever experiencing.

Eddie Barillas

Thanks a lot Eli. My dad is 71, so he’s seen plenty of awesome Dodger baseball. I’d like to get a WS in with him if at all possible. This is supposed to be fun.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

My Dad went to the last Cubs World Series when he was 10 and is still waiting to go to his next one.

ASW1

Man – I was 21 the last time the Dodgers won the WS – I’d already witnessed and rooted on the ’81 Dodgers on their way to securing the WS Championship when I was 14. Hard to believe someone could be 24 and never see the Dodgers be Champs in their lifetime.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

You’re due. Let’s do this.

Eddie Barillas

I feel like we all are.

Bryan A. Vargas

Big picture: it’s nerve-wrecking to be in this position, but we’re just two wins away from a World Series appearance. We should be contenders year after year, and it finally looks like we have an ownership group genuinely committed to making that reality. Enjoy the game everyone, and here’s hoping to many more nerve-wrecking games in the years to come.

Eli Van Sickel

Here, here!

WBBsAs

I have my complaints about Mattingly, but I will not second-guess him for sitting Hanley tonight.

DeucesAreWild

So what happens if it rains tonight. Say, in the 4th inning for a couple of hours. Do we come back with Ryu? Or do we go with Ricky? Volquez? Bullpen by committee?

B Martin

I think we hope it doesn’t rain.

ASW1

No rain – unless it’s after the 5th and the Dodgers are winning.

Casey Barker

Nevermind – just saw btimmer’s comment below.

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

I don’t think that’ll happen, but my guess is that Kershaw would return no matter the delay. Otherwise, committee.

dalegribel

Agreed. If we see Volquez in this series, it will be through tears in our eyes.

NoahUCLA

If we’re winning, we play through rain, sleet or snow. If we’re losing, then shut the game down immediately and hope for a better day tomorrow from anybody.

dalegribel

Win tonight, then rain long enough to bring Greinke back.

dalegribel

Let’s go Blue!!
Been a long time since I’ve been this nervous about a ballgame.
Some excellent Tweets by Jon today regarding fans and behavior. Thanks.

NoahUCLA

It makes me sad to see an 0-1 with a 0.00 era for Kershaw so far in the NLCS. Let’s hope it becomes 1-1 with a 0.00 era after this game. That’ll still be a little sad, but less.

ASW1

I’m hoping that seeing Wacha a second time will be the difference – seeing Kershaw a second time doesn’t feel like it will help the Cards as much as seeing Wacha a second time will help the Dodgers – that’s my hope, anyways.

Diana Gonzales

My stomach is in knots. I don’t know how I’m going to make it through these next 2 games. I do find however that listening to Vin on the AM 570 feed during the game helps with my nerves.

I was 10 in 1988, and became a Dodger fan during that World Series. I truly hope to attend my very first World Series game next week.

RBI

Yes, indeed. Me, too!

NoahUCLA

I was 7 in 1981, growing up in NY as a Dodger fan, when the rest of my clan were Yankee fans. Went to game 6 clincher in ’81. My first Dodger game. Didn’t get to go to another Dodger playoff game again until 2008, when I was living out in LA at DS.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

I was just short of nine during the 1959 WS, and the LA Times was absolutely giddy about this brand-new team getting into it so quickly. I got the baseball bug that fall.

Eddie Barillas

Me too!

WinnipegDave

Game score guesses for the starting pitchers tonight: Kershaw a cool 90 and Wacha a solid 73. Dodgers win 3-1.

Interesting. I didn’t know that for some reason. So, if it’s raining in the 7th or 8th inning, you put Jansen in and then he can pitch the 7th or 8th one day and then come back and pitch the rest of the game the next day. I like it!! Or Ryu pitches Saturday for a few innings, and then Greinke comes back on short rest on Sunday to pitch us to the 8th.

RBI

I just heard that Wainwright refused to give an interview regarding Gsme 7 because there would not be a Game 7. Them’s fightin’ words!

My version of that shirt is nearly a rag. My Jackie Robinson shirt worked in person three times in postseason games at Dodger Stadium, but I’m wearing the LCS shirt I got there Monday. It attracted attention today, from a Dodger AND a Cardinals fan.

foul tip

Way late on this. But is that a version of feets-don’t-fail-me-now? ;-])

RBI

Ha! Worth posting. Thanks!

btimmer

Looks Hanley Ramirez found some industrial strength painklillers.

ASW1

Hitting cleanup

Casey Barker

I sure hope so.

Casey Barker

Sheffield on Puig – “what you see is what you get.” I like his analysis.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Let’s Go BLUE!!!!…6 more wins Dodgers…Your Turn Clayton…Let’s make the number 5!!!!

Adam Luther

No way Kershaw loses two in a best-of-seven-I just don’t see it. It’ll either be a win or a no decision.

Adam Luther

Here we go indeed!!

Bob_Hendley

SVS finally gets on the field.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

after the cardinal flinched 1st

Bob_in_Vegas

Nice start . . . and omen?

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

CC!

Bob_Hendley

CC motors!

Adam Luther

Ramirez in the four spot is more to protect A-Gon me thinks…

WBBsAs

Don thinking bunt already?

Adam Luther

I wish but not after Game 5’s power display.

das411

….Dee would not have GdIntothatDP

Bob_Hendley

Yeah, he wouldn’t have hit the ball so hard.

ASW1

And yeah, having Dee field 2nd base would be interesting as well.

WBBsAs

I’m relieved Don didn’t risk a hit and run.

Bob_in_Vegas

I’m assuming your tongue was in your cheek when you wrote that?

ASW1

Does WBBsAs tongue ever leave his cheek?

WBBsAs

Nevertheless, I refrain from breaking Rule No. 7.

Spence

Its really too bad Puig cant hit #2 in this series.

WBBsAs

He’ll do so next season, after converting to 2B.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

How many DPs have we hit into in this series? Seems like close to ten.

I came onto DT mid-exercise just to see if anyone else noticed that. So maddening!

ASW1

Big strike zone for both pitchers so far.

Adam Luther

Home plate ump trying to get the game in due to the forecast.

RBI

Feel like Kersh getting fewer calls than Wacha.

Bob_in_Vegas

Kid K!

Adam Luther

That was big.

Bob_in_Vegas

Shut ’em down, Kersh!

Bob_Hendley

But it ain’t a shutdown inning!

Adam Luther

With a 2-2 count batters hitting .164 career vs. KShaw.

Bob_in_Vegas

Yes!

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Now let’s scratch

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

For a change let’s slug!

Bob_Hendley

Let’s get sluggish! Oh, wait…

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

Reading comprehension fail. 😉

Bob_in_Vegas

I didn’t see it and I haven’t heard anyone suggest that Kelly was trying to hit Hanley, but it’s a shame — bordering on more, thinking about “what could have been” — that the Cardinals have benefited from that injury.

WBBsAs

It did not look intentional.

ASW1

It wasn’t intentional I don’t think but yeah, it sure was a HUGE help for the Cards, no doubt.

kngoworld

After we win tonight, is anyone planning on purchasing WS tickets tomorrow morning?

Bob_in_Vegas

It’s on my To Do list. Make sure you sign up to follow the Dodgers on Twitter — they give you a code which allows you to go on earlier than the general public. It’s only 15 minutes this time — Sept. 20th, it was a full hour and I easily got a ticket for Home Game 1 of the LDS and LCS, exactly what I wanted.

kngoworld

Thanks, do you need to actually follow them or can you just visit the Dodgers Twitter page, https://twitter.com/Dodgers, and steal the code?

Bob_in_Vegas

Don’t know about the latter. I just know that I follow them and checked into Twitter and it was right there.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

season ticket holders got their chance to buy tickets starting today

Adam Luther

Wacha working quickly…

ASW1

Man, he’s good.

Bob_in_Vegas

And putting together some string of games — let’s hope that string ends for this season today!

Bob_Hendley

We got five hits off of him in six innings last time. But didn’t string them together.

NoahUCLA

We can’t touch this guy. Not a good start.

ASW1

2nd time through, look out!

Bob_in_Vegas

Get the K, Kid!

Bob_in_Vegas

NOW get it!

ASW1

Good baserunning there

Bob_in_Vegas

Wow!

Bob_in_Vegas

C’mon, Kersh!

Bob_in_Vegas

Kid K!!!!

Bob_in_Vegas

As disconcerting as the two consecutive WPs were — especially with memories of last week’s killer PB — I was surprisingly calm. If anyone could get out of it, it’s Kershaw. . . . And that’s how I feel about this game: the odds are tough and one never knows what the offense is going to do . . . but the ball is in the hand of the best pitcher we’ve got . . . that ANYONE has!

Bob_in_Vegas

Offense: picture Braves pitchers up there — you CAN support Kersh!

Bob_in_Vegas

C’mon, Kersh — show them how to do it!

Bob_in_Vegas

Stay tough, Clay — get him!

ASW1

That throw has to go to 2nd base

WBBsAs

Uggh.

Spence

Cant let Beltran get to 2nd on that ball Puig. Bad mistake

rumped6

This is what I feared. This is NOT Clayton at his best. He’s a little tired,
a little pressured, IMO.

He had no pitch to get rid of Carpenter in this third inning.
None.
It’s going to be very hard for the Ds to win this….

And Beltran just this moment got his second hit to score what may be
the winner.

Bob_in_Vegas

So, was this the first bonehead play by Puig? Still wouldn’tve stopped the first run.

Bob_in_Vegas

One more, Kersh — limit the damage.

Spence

That 2nd run might be the game. Cards just own Kershaw this year.

Bob_in_Vegas

That’;s on Puig. But he can get it back.

Spence

Honeycutt you might want to go out and talk to him.

Bob_in_Vegas

Puig is actually exonerated.

Adam Luther

What an AB by Carpenter in retrospect.

Bob_in_Vegas

Absolutely.

Spence

Yep. Play of the game.

Bob_in_Vegas

I know how the Cards’ fans feel — just like we did vs. Wainwright on Monday.

Bob_in_Vegas

Get the K, Kersh!

Adam Luther

Big pitch here…

Spence

70 pitches thru 3. Hitters are just grinding Kershaw. They did this to him a few years ago.

Bob_in_Vegas

(shaking my head)

Bob_Hendley

Bloody blue.

ASW1

Umpire piling on now

Spence

This ump changes his strike zone depending on if the batter is right handed or left handed.

Spence

Well this game is over

Bob_in_Vegas

I knew it was a possibility, but never pictured this . . .

DS1981

There’s no rhyme or reason to baseball. You should picture everything you can.

ASW1

Chalk those two runs up to the homeplate ump

RBI

I don’t want to whine, but man, that ump is squeezing Clayton.

Spence

Clayton’s been great all season but he picked a bad night to have his worst start of the year.

The Dodgers still need to score to win which has nothing to do with the starting pitcher’s performance.

WBBsAs

Steiner calls swing and a miss, and a chunk breaks off the bat.

Bob_Hendley

Bat hit the wall (after slipping out of Hanley’s hands).

WBBsAs

Replay showed a foul into the dirt.

Bob_Hendley

Deserves further investigation.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

Pinch-hit for Kershaw if his slot comes up this inning?

Adam Luther

Yes unless sacrificing.

Spence

I suppose the 2011 draft should have been Jose Fernandez/Michael Wacha at 1/2.

WBBsAs

Beltrán stumbles, and Steiner calls it spectacular.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

So did Joe Buck.

Bob_Hendley

Given his wheels, not a bad play.

WBBsAs

Routine for any other RF.

Bob_Hendley

Got some wood on the ball that inning.

4d3fect

All right, time to break out the Puig B***h machine.

Benzojones

its only the 5th inning and we still have Michael Young on the bench… we’re fine.

Bob_Hendley

Agony.

RBI

Painful game so far.

das411

….is he hurt??

Bob_in_Vegas

What a shame for Kershaw’s last game of the year . . .

Adam Luther

Well I never thought that he’d lose two in a series. A no decision is a remote possibility.

Bob_in_Vegas

He got a “loss” in Game 2 but there’s no way he lost that. . . . Today is another matter, especially with the offense’s struggles (even tho they apparently come by them honestly with Wacha).

Bob_in_Vegas

Silver Lining Dept.: We know this isn’t the real Kershaw.
We expect Puig to mature as a player and mold his raw talent into something consistently awesome.
We expect the Return of the Bison.
We hope for Bills to return to the form he last had on the mound.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Sad.

4d3fect

Well, stranger things have happened, but..

XJill

Bad night for Kershaw to become un-Kershaw. Of course the fat lady hasn’t sung but…

RBI

…she’s warming up.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

I remember Game 7, 1985. Tudor melted down for the Cards, as did Andujar, and the Royals beat the Cards 11 – 0. This looks very like that. http://tinyurl.com/lpcnwvk

Spence

Rather epic choke job by the Dodgers tonight. To get blown out with Kershaw on the mound is not accceptable..

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

“Choke?” Not a word I’d use. A tired team with multiple injuries, yes.

Spence

I’d use choke for Kershaw. He didnt have it in the biggest game of his career. Going to be a long off-season for the young man. Not many times does the Cy Young winner get clobbered in an elimination game to end his season.

XJill

I worry about Kershaw after this; has he ever imploded in a big game like this? Might be hard to shake.

Bob_in_Vegas

If anyone can, I believe he can — and will. The problem is it takes waiting all year to be in the same position to truly prove it. And there’s no guarantee of returning, tho I think the Dodgers will be even stronger next year, with the return of Matt.

XJill

Yeah, that’s what I worry about, now you’ve got the offseason to play the “what if/why” game instead of having another start soon to shake it off. Definitely tough but I’m sure he’ll be okay.

DS1981

You’re one of those baseball fans who still think baseball playoffs is something more than just lottery?

Spence

I dont think expecting Kershaw to be good should be akin to winning the lottery.

DS1981

Out of the tens of games that a great starting pitcher like Kershaw pitches each year, there will beat at least one where he gets lit. That one just happened to be today. That’s lottery.

Bob_in_Vegas

I don’t think it’s choking, but it’s definitely not coming up big.

I believe he knew the offense wasn’t going to score much — if at all — and that put even more pressure on him. (If we get frustrated with the offense, and we do, it would only be human for it to play on the pitchers.)

Plus — as Vinny pointed out — the Carpenter AB was a huge indicator but even before that, there were the 2 WPs and the fact he wasn’t able to throw it past many — so something may be off physically.

http://www.linkmeister.com/wordpress/ Linkmeister

258 innings. That’s a ton.

Spence

I agree its alot. I think if anything I’m more concerned about how he bounces back next year. Matt Cain wasnt able too after putting a ton of innings on his arm.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

When does Vin come back on so I can at least have that comfort?

Blue-eyed Gal

Top of the 7th. That’s what I’ve been thinking too.

*raises my non alcoholic bev to fellow fans in our time of trial.*

I wish my classics major training hadn’t been making me think “hubris” at game start during the holdup. Of course it’s just the lottery of post season (ans a bit of a tight strike zone), but it’s hard not to be superstitious.

4d3fect

Well, what else can happen here?

Spence

9-0 are you kidding me?

RBI

No longer nervous.

Bob_in_Vegas

silver lining?

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

We only need 3 runs for the next 3 innings and then 4 in the 9th. That would be fun.

XJill

I like the way you think, David 😉

RBI

Now I’m just hoping it isn’t a shutout.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

I’m hoping Withrow comes in and breaks some ribs. But, you know… that’s all unsportsmanlike and unCardinal like. Hate to have it be said that I’m not a true baseball fan.

Bob_in_Vegas

New waffle?

RBI

Definitely.

das411

one hit? that’s all we got, one [rule1] hit?

RBI

Two!

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Oh.

Spence

Skip getting a standing o.

DS1981

Since the game is over, something i’ve noticed about the cardinals stadium over the years. St louis is a majority african american city and yet in busch stadium it’s nothing but middle aged white dudes. What’s up with that?

Only if you’re thinking East St. Louis IL, right across the river. About 98% there.

http://farinella.com/ David Farinella

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Blue-eyed Gal

I keep growling “fight” under my breath. That’s all I ask now.

ETA: in the metaphorical sense, I mean. To keep striving, whatever the score.

https://www.facebook.com/kmt59 KT

Well the one good thing about having a very sick 3 year old is I’ve only seen them score 1 run….so to me it’s still 1-0…we can come back from that

RBI

Now that is funny, KT. (Hope your bairn feels better soon!)

Bob_in_Vegas

That works for me, KT. Since I’m just listening to it, I haven’t seen them score at all . . . so it’s a scoreless tie?
This is definitely living up to the description of “Dodger Thoughts” and finding ways to deal psychologically with the Dodgers!

http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/ Jon Weisman

NPUT

Benzojones

wife asked me why I’m still watching. Valid question, but I like this team.